Written by Eden Davis, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and co-owner of Pearl Wellness Practice
Being a caregiver can be extremely rewarding, having the opportunity to help others with their health and well-being. However, we often find ourselves putting our own needs on the back burner. When we put our own health at the top of the list, everyone around us can thrive.
Energize Your Soul
Being a caregiver comes with daily responsibilities, tasks, and (what may feel like) an endless to-do list. With all these things on your plate, it can be tempting to turn to caffeine for quick energy.
Although we're big fans of Joe, we've found it beneficial to energize ourselves through different outlets. From fueling our bodies with nutrition, moving in a mindful way, and reducing stress, the outcome may surprise you!
Prioritize Mental Health
According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, “engaging in a self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, increase happiness, and more”.
The benefits of self-care for mental health may not be a foreign concept to many, and that doesn’t mean we always put ourselves as a priority. It can be easy for us to push aside, ignore, or dismiss symptoms and signs when we’re constantly in a state of go go go and helping others.
For a period of time, we can maintain that, but eventually, we can’t sustain the effects it has on our mental well-being. Self-care for mental health is not just a bubble bath, a night out with friends, or watching sports. It is the development and implementation of habits, where your social, emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, and health are the first stop on this path of caregiving for others.
Become Resilient
When you think of resilience, what comes to mind? The definition is "the process of adapting well in the face of adversity and significant sources of stress". Being a caregiver comes with many challenges at times.
Giving into the stress while neglecting self-care can seem appealing. However, resilience is created when we practice self-care and prioritize ourselves. As caregivers, there will always be times that challenge us in life. How we react to them is how we build resilience, becoming resilient over time.
For many caregivers, it can be difficult to make themselves a priority. Yes, there are people that are in need of your services, but you're included in that. How can we pour into others if our own cup is empty?
With Pearls of Wellness,
Founders of Pearl Wellness Practice
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